Types of Clouds

1. Types of Clouds Kristian Diore 3rdGrade Science Click here to begin!

2. Click on each cloud to learn more about it! Cumulus clouds Cirrus clouds Stratus clouds Nimbus clouds Click here for a review question

3. Cumulus Clouds • Puffy, white clouds • Look like large cotton balls in the sky • Made of tiny droplets of water • Seen during nice weather Click here for more information on Cumulus Clouds

4. Cumulus Clouds • How are these clouds formed? • When warm air rises and reaches a level of cool air, the moisture in the air condenses into water droplets Click here to return to main menu

5. Cirrus Clouds • Most common of the high clouds • Thin, wispy clouds • Form very high in the sky where the air is very cold • Form when wind is strong • Composed of ice crystals • Predict fair to pleasant weather Click here for more information on Cirrus Clouds

6. Cirrus Clouds • How are these clouds formed? • Due to the extremely cold temperatures, the water droplets freeze into ice crystals • The small amount of moisture causes these clouds to be very thin Click here to return to main menu

7. Stratus Clouds • Flat, low clouds • Form in layers at low heights • Cover large areas of the sky, blocking sunlight • Can produce a light drizzle or snow • Stratus clouds that form near the ground are called fog Click here for more information on Stratus Clouds

8. Stratus Clouds • How are these clouds formed? • A sheet of warm, moist air lifts off the ground into cold air Click here to return to main menu

9. Nimbus Clouds • Dark and gray • Storm clouds • Contain tiny droplets of water that come down in the form of rain, sleet, snow or hail • Can cause thunderstorms and lightning Click here for more information on Nimbus Clouds

10. Nimbus Clouds • How are these clouds formed? • They carry huge amounts of condensed water droplets • When air cools, water vapor turns into liquid producing visible clouds or ice droplets Click here to return to main menu

11. Review Question I am a type of cloud that you would not want to see appear in the sky on a hot, summer day while you are in your swimming pool. I might cause a thunderstorm! Which cloud am I? • Stratus • Cumulus • Nimbus • Cirrus

12. Try Again! Stratus Clouds cover large areas of the sky and may block sunlight, but they are not known for producing thunderstorms! Click here to return to question

13. Try Again! Cumulus Clouds are the type of clouds you would want to see on a hot, summer day! These clouds are big and puffy and appear during nice weather. Click here to return to question

14. You are correct! Nimbus Clouds are known as “storm clouds.” You would not want a thunderstorm to happen while you are in your swimming pool! Click here to continue

15. Try Again! Cirrus Clouds are seen with nice weather. They may appear when it is windy outside, but do not produce thunderstorms or heavy rain! Click here to return to question

16. Great Job! You have completed this mini lesson on the four main types of clouds. Next time you go outside, look in the sky and try to name the clouds you see! Click on the image below to return to the title slide for the next student!